Maya Adkins Photo Essay: Ancient Oaks of Jacksonville

Maya Adkins from the Art Institute presents a few gorgeous photos of one of the area's most symbolic and majical features: The ancient oaks that form so much of our forestry, municipal plantings and provide the tree canopy without whose shade life would be unbearably hot here in Jacksonville. Southerners are pretty fond in general of the old oaks, and Maya has taken pains to find some of the most ancient members of this tree tribe for her photo essay. Join us after the jump for some truly beautiful images!

Artist Statement: The Oak Trees of Jacksonville are a living history, the largest, Treaty Oak, is over 250 years old. The Oaks in this photo essay are found all across Jacksonville. From Old Kings to Mandarin, these trees can be seen lining roads, and the shadows of roads that once were. They shade parks, churches, and even gas station parking lots. We can all enjoy and appreciate these mighty links to our past.